Tag - Firefox

Firefox 1.1 is now available for free on iOS and it brings you, er, um, well. Give us a minute. There must be something. Got it. Firefox is -- no, that's not it. Hand on heart, all we can think of is that if you're a fan of Firefox on the Mac, you'll enjoy having something that looks and works like it on your iPhone and iPad -- just don't think that its equivalent to Firefox on the desktop.

Mozilla has started to publicly show its attempt at bringing Firefox to iOS, with an initial test launch in just one country. The mobile browser has been unveiled in a public preview in New Zealand with expansion to a "few more countries" expected in the coming months, with Mozilla using the limited launch to receive feedback on a number of features before it has a wider release to users in the rest of the world later this year.

Mozilla is blocking Adobe Flash from being run in the Firefox browser following a series of serious security flaws in the software. As of the most recent update all versions of Flash identified with a vulnerability have been blocked by default in order to keep the browser secure, Firefox support head Mark Schmidt advised on Twitter, though he also clarified the block is not permanent, and will be lifted in the event Adobe releases a new, more secure version.

The great thing about these Living With articles –– and in fact the specific reason we do them –– is that we get to bring the real-world results of truly using software or hardware for a long time. As thorough as MacNN is with reviewing new releases, that's like stress-testing a relationship in its infancy compared to moving in with someone. Living with them, long term, in fact.

Panasonic has started to sell its first smart televisions using Firefox OS, with Europe being the first market to receive them before it is more widely available. The new Viera sets, part of Panasonic's 2015 Smart TV range previously shown at CES in January, include a total of six televisions using the operating system to power its smart functionality, showing Firefox as capable of powering more than just smartphones.

Firefox 35, the latest iteration of Mozilla's web browser, includes a more prominent and simplified version of its video chat service, among other changes. Included in Firefox 34 as an experiment, Firefox Hello is a free app based on WebRTC, which lets users create plugin-free conversations with other contacts all conducted from within the browser rather than in an external client.

Panasonic has revealed its 2015 lineup of 4K TVs, including several models powered by Mozilla's Firefox OS. The company's Ultra HD lineup has expanded to nine different models in the CX850, CX800, CX650 and CX600 families, adding an upgraded flagship series and new midrange options. Aside from the software features, Panasonic's latest 4K display panels are claimed to bring improved picture quality with brighter presentation and a wider color gamut.

An iOS version of Firefox is in progress, according to comments by two Mozilla managers. On Tuesday, a Firefox project manager, Lukas Blakk, wrote on Twitter that "we need to be where our users are, so we're going to get Firefox on iOS;" it's believed that he was quoting Firefox VP Jonathan Nightingale at an internal Mozilla event in Portland. The company's manager of data science, Matthew Ruttley, later tweeted a photo from the event showing a slide with an iPhone 6, captioned by Ruttley with "Firefox for iOS!! Let's do this!!!"

Mozilla has released Firefox 34, the latest version of its multi-platform web browser. As promised last month, the update makes Yahoo the default search engine. People upgrading from a previous version, however, are only being prompted to switch engines in a pop-up message; clicking "Later" leaves Google search in place.

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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

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Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

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Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

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Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

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SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

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Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

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Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE